Reibman Is Running For Lehigh County Judge

Allentown lawyer Edward Reibman yesterday announced his candidacy for judge of Lehigh County Court.

Reibman, a Democrat, is the seventh, and may be the last, candidate to announce that he will run for one of three openings on the bench. Today is the deadline for circulating nominating petitions.

"A good judge must have a high level of integrity and the proper mix of fairness, toughness and understanding. My experience in the law and involvement in our community demonstrate those qualities," he said.

This will be Reibman's second campaign. In 1988, he was defeated in the U.S. congressional race by 15th District Republican Don Ritter.

Referring to his previous candidacy, Reibman, 43, said, "Few people in the Lehigh Valley and none running for judge have been so publicly scrutinized or so thoroughly tested as I have. That experience proved my willingness to work hard, understanding of the community and ability to confront difficult issues with integrity."

The previous campaign may have had residual benefits, one of which was getting his name before the voters, he said.

In January, Reibman, reportedly one of five lawyers whose names were submitted to the governor to fill one of the vacancies on the bench, said he hadn't decided whether he would seek election. Reibman said he later was urged by colleagues and clients to seek a judgeship.

"To be effective," Reibman said, "the law requires the respect of the community it is supposed to serve. That respect must be earned. It is earned by individuals who are firm, yet fair, willing to resolve problems rather than prolong them, and will reflect the good judgment and best values of our community."

Reibman, who graduated from Duke Law School in 1972 and from Lafayette College, has had a private civil practice in Allentown since 1977.

From 1972 to 1973, he served as a law clerk to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Reibman was a trial lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice from 1973 to 1975.

Reibman has served as special counsel to Allentown City Council.

"I understand the courtroom and can run a fair and public hearing on controversial matters while maintaining order," he said.

Reibman was lead counsel in a North Carolina case won before the the U.S. Supreme Court in 1986. The class-action suit, which spanned 13 years, achieved what he called a landmark decision that helped to clarify the use of computer analysis in employment cases.

"Our victory required extraordinary skill, perseverance and faith in the law," he said.

Reibman is a past president of Lehigh Valley Legal Services.

He is a former director of the Minsi Trails Council Boy Scouts of America and the Allentown Literacy Council.